8 Ingredients for the Best Bath Ever

There’s nothing more relaxing after a long, busy day—especially on a cold winter night—than a soothing soak in the tub. Just add bubbles, candles, a glass of pinot noir, and you’re instantly calm. But bath-time benefits don’t stop there. “Bathing can help promote better circulation, relax our muscles so that we sleep better and recover more quickly from workouts, encourage mindfulness, and even help break up congestion from common colds and allergies,” says Joel Schlessinger, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and RealSelf advisor. Who knew?

The key to maximizing your time in the tub and reaping the most benefits lies in using the right ingredients. But with so many products on the market, containing everything from oils you’ve never heard of to chemicals you can’t pronounce, how do you choose the right ones? Before you draw your next bath, we’re setting the record straight. Here are the most rejuvenating and healing ingredients.

Oatmeal

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If you’re used to having a bowl of this whole-grain powerhouse for breakfast, you’re already well aware of its amazing benefits. But not only is it good to eat, it’s amazing to bathe in—especially during winter. “Oatmeal helps provide soothing relief for dry skin, rashes, sunburn, and other everyday skin irritation due to its healthy fat content,” says Schlessinger. “Oats also contain natural cleansers that help keep pores free of impurities and proteins that help skin maintain its natural moisture barrier.”

How to use it: For a quick oatmeal fix, Schlessinger suggests LATHER Exfoliating Body Soap with Oatmeal and Bamboo Extract ($10, lovelyskin.com), which also contains shea butter, olive oil, and exfoliating bamboo powder. Or, use the real stuff: Take 1 to 2 cups of uncooked oats, let them stand in hot water and honey for five minutes, then add them under running water to your tub.

Honey

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This gooey substance has been used for more than 10,000 years as a topical healing agent all across the world. “It’s an antibacterial substance that helps prevent infection and heal minor skin abrasions,” says Schlessinger. “It’s also full of polyphenols—natural antioxidants that help boost the immune system and defend against signs of aging.” Okay, we’re listening.

How to use it: Add 2 Tbsps of raw honey to a running bath, soak for 15 minutes, and then add baking soda for your final 15 minutes, says Michelle Schlekewey, director of spa services at The Golden Door Spa Resort in San Marcos, California. “This helps rid your body of dead skin cells without causing any irritation,” she says.

Lavender

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Just a sniff of this heavenly flowering plant and you already feel more relaxed and refreshed. “Lavender is probably the first thing you think of when you imagine a relaxing bath, and that’s all owed to its ability to calm, soothe, and relieve stress,” says Schlessinger. “In ancient times, it was used to treat acne, itching, and irritation, since it works to purify and detoxify skin.”

How to use it: “Use around six to eight drops of pure lavender essential oil under running water,” says Schlekewey. “Or, add the drops to a capful of milk or Epsom salts before pouring into the water to help disperse the oil more efficiently.

Peppermint, Eucalyptus, and Other Essential Oils

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For thousands of years, these herbal scents have been used for both cosmetic purposes and as a means to boost your mood. “The stress-soothing benefits are unlimited and change based upon which oil you use,” says Schlekewey. “Rosemary increases circulation and lifts spirits, peppermint has anti-inflammatory benefits and can relieve PMS symptoms, eucalyptus relieves muscle and joint pain and is soothing for a cold, ylang ylang fights depression, and any citrus offers antioxidant properties.”

How to use them: While it’s tempting to just keep pouring these delectable scents into your bath, Schlekewey warns to use them sparingly. “Just five to eight drops should do the trick while avoiding irritation or increased sensitivity,” she says. “Also, keep away from artificial colors because they serve no purpose and can actually be an irritant.”

Coconut Oil

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You’ve heard it before: Coconut oil cures just about anything, and there may be some truth to it—at least when it comes to your bath. “Not only does it encourage soft, supple skin, but it also offers antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal benefits,” says Schlessinger. “This is because it contains saturated fats that keep skin smooth and moisturized.” It’s also a natural source of vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant commonly found in anti-aging skincare. “Its proteins repair and keep skin looking firm, healthy, and youthful,” explains Schlessinger.

How to use it: For a nutrient-rich wash that not only has that deliciously tropical smell but also the ingredient to back it up, try SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Body Wash ($10, ulta.com). Or, grab a tablespoon from your kitchen cabinet. “For a nice exfoliating bath, combine about ½ cup coconut oil and ½ cup sugar to make your own DIY body scrub,” says Schlekewey.

Epsom Salt

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This bath-time ingredient is not actually a salt at all—it’s a naturally occurring mineral compound made up of magnesium and sulfate. “When dissolved in warm water and absorbed into the skin, Epsom helps to replenish magnesium levels in the body, which often get depleted when we’re feeling stressed,” says Schlessinger. Shoveling in some Epsom into your bath at the end of the day can also ease pain and inflammation and help relieve sore muscles.

How to use it: Add 1 to 2 cups of Epsom salt to warm water for about five minutes before you hop in and soak. And make sure you’re in there for at least 12 minutes to reap all of the healing benefits, says Schlekewey, who recommends using it up to three times a week and adding ½ cup olive oil or coconut oil for extra moisture.

Baking Soda

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You already cook with it and ingest it in the form of cake or bread—and now you know you can also add it into your bath. “Also known as sodium bicarbonate, this household item is found in most bath products because it’s a natural exfoliator that helps keep areas like knees, elbows, and heels soft, smooth, and free of buildup,” says Schlessinger. Cue the long-overdue foot soak!

How to use it: Mix 4 to 5 Tbsps of baking soda in with a warm bath, and allow it to dissolve before soaking for about 10 to 20 minutes.

Rose

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Need we say more? If you’re like most gals, you’ll never turn your nose up at the opportunity to get close to this romantic flower. But it’s more than just stunning—it has natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. “Rose is also moisturizing and refreshing to the skin and can keep acne and redness at bay,” says Schlessinger.

How to use it: Make your own DIY rose milk bath by adding four to six drops of rose essential oil, 1 ½ cups of powdered milk, ½ cup of Epsom salt, and ¼ cup (or more) or dried rose petals, suggests Schlekewey. “Mix it all into a warm bath and just relax,” she says.

Jenn SinrichJenn Sinrich is an experienced writer, digital and social editor, and content strategist covering health, fitness, beauty, and relationships.

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